Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-04-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.
trrom our Regular corre.pondentJ y

WASHINGTON. April 1lth. 1887.
Yesterday the glad Easter chimes rang
out, aud the forty days Of Lent are passed
In the churches Easter services were gen
ersl, and in many of them the regular
services were omitted entirely to make
way for the elaborate musical programs
which had been arranged. But In the
fashionable world the importance of the
day did not end with its religious OBJ
servance. II marked another epoch--the
casting aside of snckcloth snd ashes and
the resump,ion OF gayeties and spring
bonnets.
At the White House Easter did not In
terrere with the regular order beyond the
special privilege given to tho children OF
the District. In accordance with a time
honored custom they have the full free
dom OF the White House grounds on
Enster Monday for the purpose OF egg
rolling. aud while am writing Thousands
OF children from seventy years old down,
OF both seIss may be seen on the grarsy
slopes enjoying tho sport.
The National Drill which begins on the
23d Of next month and continues nine
days. ending on Decoration Day" will be
a grand gathering OF citizen soldiery. The
smoke oocasioned by the color line has
dwindied away, and from beneath II come'
the steady enrolment Of additional militia
who recognize the fact that troops of The
colored race have right 10 do their best
in the coming contest.
OF all the absurdiiies that have come
TO the surface lately, the withdrawal ol
certain Southern companies from the Drill
because some colored military-regularly
organized militia-were admitted 10 par
licipate, is the most far.fetched and repre-
henaible. The coming event is publ,
affair. a national affair, and involves nt
social equality or association whatever
At the Yorktown celebration the brigad,
commanded by Gen. FitE Lee included I
number of colorsd companies, and thei
bearing and marching Was no disc redit Il
the command. On the contrary they sc
quilted themselves excellently we'll. Col
ored troops took part in the Clevelan,
Inauguration also and no section oi tn
country was offended by ii.
The hasly action Of some of the ultrl
Soulherners is very much regretted, as
shown in the case Of Governor Lee, O
Virginia. He Was the frsl official TO en-
ter colored troops for the drill. and whe
il became apparent that opposition was 1
be made, he ordered his adjutant to pro
coed to Washington and enter tho Who'll
four brigades Of the Virginia Nations
Guards. II Was frat intended TO ents
only three companies, but now all vii
come, bringing with them equipments an,
horses, for two regiments arc cavalry.
The recalcItrant course OF the Mont
gomery "Greys" and "True Blues" has re
ceived much unfavorable comment. The
will simply loose the best opportunit
they have ever had for public display G
thelr soldiership and discipline while III
grand spectacle will proceed as imposing
ly as il they had len. their presence to II
success. So il is not for their loss tn,
the promoters Of the Washington EncamI
ment regret what has taken place. The,
with liberal. minded patriotic people ever.
where, are sorry to see such evidence
narrorneaa Of feeling on the Fart OF ii
citizen soldiers in any part OF the Unio
, And they particularly regret that race At
tpathies and sectional prejudice, viii,
should have been laid aside at the end
the Teconhtruction era, survive in 40 offe
sive a form. What text the Naiion
Drill! episode will furnish tho Republics
, orator in Congress and on the stump If
10 inclined To take advantage OF II.
The Drill will take place on the lev
!, slliIas lying South Of the Executive Ma
sIon which is called the "White Lot"
is a mile In circumference. Il will 10 o.
closed and seats arranged sround 1t
ia amphilhsatsr style. The Rhoatly city
v tents will lie located on the grounds arou
!. the Warrington Monument. Daily co
" tests viii he held to show the proGcien
Of the cavalry. infantry, artillery a
Eunave tactics. and each evening The
: will be a grand dress parade. Cash pri,
u viii be distributed 10 the amount OF S2i
= 800. besides stands Of eolor.. gold. sil,
and bronze medals. special medals d
plate trophies.
+" The great parade will lake place
p Governors day, when AT least twenty-f
~ Chief Executives OF Siates will review I
N procession with the President. II W
n doubtless be the largest gathering se
- here sioce iba grand review al the end
y the war. Thirty y-six States and soms r.
riioriea will be represented In tho conts
and tens Of Thousands OF visitors wall col
70 look on. Fortunately they will soc /
National Capital at The height Of lis II